The arena is set, the fighters ready, and the crowd is restless in anticipation. EVO 2023 has turned into a spectacle, more than just a series of tournaments – it’s a battleground for revelations and surprises that capture the beating heart of the fighting game community. But this year, among the fevered hype and deafening applause, two shadows loom larger than all: Raven and Azucena, the newly revealed combatants for Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8.
The fighting game universe has always pulsated with the energy of competition and the vivid palette of characters, each bringing their own unique flavor to the combat. And 2023 is proving to be a tempestuous year in this realm. From the release of Capcom’s Street Fighter 6, lauded widely for its innovation, to the highly anticipated launch of Mortal Kombat 1 this September, the fighting game aficionado has much to rejoice about. But the anticipation doesn’t end there.
As EVO 2023 – the grandest stage of them all in the world of fighting games – surged forward, breaking its attendance records, it also became the ground zero for a revelation that set the Tekken universe abuzz.
Raven, the enigmatic secret agent ninja representing the United Nations, is no stranger to the Tekken franchise. Making a stunning debut in Tekken 5, Raven garnered a fanbase enamored by his ninjutsu techniques and his finesse. While his shadow, quite literally, was cast by Master Raven in Tekken 7, Tekken 8 sees the return of the original.
His presence at EVO 2023 was electrifying. The trailers showcased Raven, evoking the mysticism of ninjutsu, manifesting shadow clones in swift, elegant motions. The character’s ability to summon copies of himself, darting in and out of combat, keeping his adversaries forever on their toes, speaks to the legacy and evolution of the character.
But it wasn’t just Raven’s return that electrified the EVO atmosphere. The stage was also graced by a new entrant with a dance of grace, speed, and a love for…coffee?
Meet Azucena, Tekken’s first Peruvian character, dubbed the “Coffee Queen”. Flanked by adorable alpacas, her trailer opened to a whirlwind of dance-inspired moves, dodges, and devastating counters. While the idea of a fighter with an intense love for coffee might seem quaint, in the realm of Tekken, it fits right in. There’s an undeniable authenticity in the way Azucena represents the flavor of Peru, a nation not often celebrated in mainstream fighting games.
Azucena’s swift movements, playful dodges, and strikes, paired with her coffee-centric dialogues, make her more than just a character – she’s a narrative. An embodiment of a culture, a tribute to a nation, and a testament to Tekken’s legacy of diverse representation. Her entry wasn’t just a nod to Peru but a full-fledged love letter. The audience, especially those from Latin America, couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
EVO wasn’t just about character showcases. The trailers for both characters hinted at the dynamic stage destruction in Tekken 8. The battlegrounds, shifting and evolving based on damage dealt, promise a layer of strategy and visual splendor to the bouts.
While the unexpected leak did take away some of the surprise, Bandai Namco’s official reveal at EVO was, without a doubt, a masterstroke of excitement and engagement. . These reveals, coupled with previous announcements, push the Tekken 8 character tally to a formidable 18, ensuring variety and novelty for players.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new entrants and the game itself, a shroud of mystery still envelops Tekken 8’s release date. All we have is a broad 2024 window. But as Harada and Michael Murray from the Tekken team have shown, they are intent on keeping the fandom on its toes. Between the network tests, the reveals at EVO, and the promise of more to come, Tekken 8 seems poised to carry forward the legacy of its predecessors.
